Secondary Roads explores drone survey technology

     The Jones County Engineer’s Office and Secondary Roads is looking ahead to the future of technology.

     During the Aug. 7 board of supervisor meeting, County Engineer Derek Snead and Assistant Engineer Todd Postel spoke with the board about branching out with the use of drones for surveying work.

     Snead said over the past couple of months, they’ve been talking internally about the cost and manpower tied to surveying for road/grading projects versus utilizing drone technology. However, Postel said in some areas of the county, GPS and reliable cell phone service is not always available.

     “It can be very labor intensive,” he said when it comes to surveying a major road project.

     Postel estimated 700 man-hours of time for every 6 miles. That comes to $52 a mile just for labor, or $1 per foot.

     “Surveying has evolved in our industry,” said Postel.

     Snead agreed. “Things in the survey world are changing.”

     Postel said over the past several years, surveying drones have been steadily improving with accuracy. That where a company in Marion, Iowa, comes in.

     “They are the first in the world to guarantee half an inch accuracy with photo technology,” said Postel. “They are a new start-up company and we are looking to get on board.”

     In the past 10 years, the Engineer’s Office has not invested much to upgrade its survey equipment. Postel estimated an upgrade could cost around $34,000. The new drone technology they would invest in could be close to that, around $40,000.

     Postel said he and CAD Technician Matt Burger would have to get their pilots license to allow them to fly a drone, and abide by FAA rules.

     With 62 miles of paved roadway throughout Jones County, much of which is 40-plus years old, Postel said a lot of road work remains in their near future. “I consider this a cost-savings,” he said of using drone technology. “Drones reduce the (survey) labor.”

     Snead said in relation to the Central Park Lake restoration project, the company from Marion flew a drone, covering 180 acres, in about 17 minutes. “That’s what we’re looking for with road projects,” he said.

     Postel if they didn’t at least explore this technology, the Engineer’s Department would have to look into hiring another person to assist with survey work.

     Snead said they would have the data back from the drone survey work within 24 to 72 hours. The Engineer’s Office would fly the drone, and the company would post-process the data.

     “This would replace the use of a GPS,” said Postel. “We could use it for everything.”

     Snead added, “A drone could be up in the air for 15 minutes versus 30 days of manpower spent for an entire roadway project.”

     “If this works,” concluded Postel, “we would save a huge amount of money in the long run. With two projects, it’s paid for.”

     The board directed Snead and Postel to invite the company to a board meeting to give a presentation and answer any questions the board had.

In other county business:

     • The board approved the plans and specs for the Secondary Road Maintenance Shop in Anamosa. Bids were also received, with one bid from Accent Construction coming in at $214,416. The engineer’s estimate was $250,000.

     The board awarded the bid, with a completion date of Nov. 1.

     • Supervisors Joe Oswald and Ned Rohwedder provided an update on Stone Bridge near Monticello. Both Supervisors met with Rose Rohr and the prospective engineer late last week on the bridge.

     Oswald said Rohr and the Historic Preservation Commission is interested in hiring the engineer, the same one who had a hand in the relocation of Hale Bridge.

     Rohwedder said the engineer provided some preliminary ideas for the bridge, possibly widening the bridge

     “We stressed the need to meet DOT specs,” commented Oswald.

     Snead reminded the board that county guidelines mandate for a 34-foot wide bridge for two-lane traffic.

     • The board abated property taxes on property owned by the City of Olin for two parcels: $236 and $790.

     • The board approved fuel and petroleum contracts with AgVantage FS and Mulgrew Oil. The contracts expire June 30, 2019.